The alliance that Trump cannot break

India Today ^ | 8/20/2025 | India Today Global Desk

[rellic]

“The warning is unambiguous: choose between Moscow and access to the global financial system dominated by Washington.”

A better way of putting it is choose an economic system run by despots that historically always fails, or one run by a bunch of people that do not trust each other that has historically shown nothing but success?

[Vermont Lt]

Nah. I just like screwing Russia whenever we can.

[9YearLurker]

One of those dinosaur minds who can’t leave the Cold War behind?

[datricker]

So what does Russia do with the Rupees? Since the currency isn't freely traded the Russians are stuck buying whatever they can from India with those Rupees?

Cheap energy and a buyer for all things made in India -I'd like that deal if I was India too.

For the rest of the world it might be time to cut off India until they stop otherwise they have no incentive not to.

[Teacher317]

India's entire GDP was a half trillion in 2002.
Since then, it has shot up to $3.6T in 2023, averaging about +6% annually since Covid.

They're finally becoming a significant economy on the world stage (just barely passing Japan for 4th place, by less than $1bn, according to the IMF rankings).

It certainly took them long enough, with over a billion population, AND the influence of the British colonial system... and even so, their per capita GDP is still on just par with most of subSaharan Africa (around $4.8k), well below China ($13.6k) and the global average ($14.2k)

[marcusmaximus]

Leeching off the USA. India sucks.

[dljordan]

“And deport the H1B invaders back to the streets of Calcutta.”

How cruel! Let’s do it.

[Rockingham]

Not really. China and India have a long history of fraught relations and military clashes along their common border. And Trump’s strategy puts India and China in competition as to tariffs and much else.

[Wuli]

“Not really. China and India have a long history of fraught relations and military clashes along their common border. And Trump’s strategy puts India and China in competition as to tariffs and much else.”

While that history is true, current history is also true and they have recently taken mutual steps to reduce the tension on their border, avoid further tension, increase their economic intercourse. All since Trump announced possible 50% tariffs on India for its Russian oil purchases and no similar tariffs announced for China. Indian nationalism was aroused, and China stepped up diplomatically to take advantage of that and start making amends with India, and India has responded positively.

Trump may think he’s playing a Nixon card with regard to China and Russia, but he’s also instigating China-India rapprochement.

[Rockingham]

China and India can play at rapprochement, but too much divides them for it to last. And as much as it can be said that the Trump administration has aroused Indian nationalism, that sentiment will find easier and more profitable expression against China than against the US.